Seeks supply from Rajpura

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 6

In view of a shortage of medical oxygen at government and private hospitals in the city, the UT Administration today urged the Punjab Government to allow it to get cylinders refilled at a Rajpura-based plant.

Chandigarh has been allocated 20 MT medical oxygen quota by the Centre. Since there is no cylinder refilling plant in the city, all hospitals here are dependent on private refilling vendors located in nearby areas, including Dera Bassi and Rajpura in Punjab.

“Chandigarh Gases in the Industrial Area, Phase I, may kindly be permitted to get cylinders refilled from Jalan Gases (in Rajpura) and transport these back to the government and private hospitals in Chandigarh,” Yashpal Garg, nodal officer for the supply of oxygen, UT, wrote to Rahul Tiwari, in-charge, Punjab State Covid Control Room, Chandigarh.

Sources said there were reports of diversion of oxygen to Patiala in the past few days due to which the UT failed to get its quota. “Like yesterday, there was shortage of oxygen supply today also,” said Dr Sanjay Bansal from Eden Hospital.

Sanjay Tandon, senior BJP leader and founder of Balramji Dass Tandon Charitable Foundation, rued the procedural delays. “It is really sad to know that because of procedural hassles oxygen supply from Punjab to Chandigarh is held up.”

“I am getting many hectic calls for oxygen, but the issue has to be resolved at the supply end. Also, the wastage of oxygen needs to be checked,” said Tandon.